Mental Health

• About the issue
• Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
• Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
• Who can I contact with my questions?
• Background Information For This Issue

About the issue: (Top of page)

People with mental illness often have problems getting treatment. There are two reasons for this. One is finding the right kind of services the person needs and wants. There are a variety of types of services available, but not every service is available in every county. The other problem involves funding. Treatment is paid for either through a public system or a private insurance system.

Public System:

Those using the public system are usually funded by Medicaid or their county. Each county has a Community Support Program (CSP). CSPs are structured programs that use a more medical model. They are limited to people with more serious mental disorders. Because Medicaid requires counties to pay part of the cost of CSPs, there are people waiting for services in a number of counties.

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is a newer approach in treatment. The CCS approach is more flexible, person-centered, and based on the person's strengths. This approach is good for people whose needs aren't as severe as those in CSPs. The first CCS program was started in 2004. In 2006, fourteen counties had CCS programs. This means people in 58 counties cannot get into this program.

For some people with mental illness, peer support programs are very helpful. These programs are usually run by people with mental illness. They might be drop-in centers or places that are vocationally oriented. They emphasize recovery and empowerment. But again, these programs exist only in limited areas.

Private Insurance System:

Wisconsin law requires health insurers to provide at least $7000 per year of coverage. In many cases, that is all private insurance will provide. And insurance companies have the right to refuse to offer a policy to a person with mental illness (or any other "pre-existing" condition). Mental health services can be costly. Weekly visits with a mental health professional could use up that amount before years end. And inpatient treatment costs over $1500/day in Wisconsin. To pay for these services out of pocket is often not possible, so people go without.

Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)

Mental illness affects one out of five families. Nearly one million people in Wisconsin have some form of mental illness. This includes those with a primary diagnosis of mental illness, those with a "dual diagnosis" such as cognitive disability and mental illness, and those with less severe illnesses. People with disabilities (unless they have Medicaid) often have limited or no insurance coverage for these disorders.

The cost of mental illness to the individual, the family and society is enormous. Mental illness often prevents a person from being productive at work—or even being able to go to work. Half of all visits to doctors are related to mental illness issues. People with mental illness fill more hospital beds than those with cancer, lung and heart disease combined. Suicide is three times more common than murder.

Are there any bills that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)

• Assembly Bill 1 - Lawsuit Reform
  This is a companion bill to Special Session Senate Bill 1. These bills curb and reform lawsuits. Among other reforms, families of individuals injured in nursing homes, group homes or other facilities would not be able to use investigative or incident repo [More on Assembly Bill 1 ]
  Outcome: Passed Committee
• Assembly Bill 40 - Biennial Budget Request
  The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other a [More on Assembly Bill 40 ]
  Outcome: Introduced and referred to the Joint Finance Committee.
• Assembly Bill 54 - Child Custody Bill
  For separated or divorced parents, this bill would require courts to presume that a 50/50 placement with each parent is in the child's best interest. For very young children or children with emotional or mental illness, 50/50 placement may undermine the c [More on Assembly Bill 54 ]
  Outcome: Public hearing held.
• Assembly Bill 76 - Inmates' Prescription Drugs
  Requires county and state jails to charge a prisoner, including people with disabilities or mental illness, a deductible, co-payment or other payments for prescription drugs or devices. The amount of the payment would be established by administrative rule [More on Assembly Bill 76 ]
  Outcome: Introduced April 7, 2011
• Senate Bill 27 - Biennial Budget Request
  The most important bill of the legislative session, the biennial budget bill determines how much funding programs serving people with disabilities will receive for the next two years. The bill also makes important policies and funding decisions in other a [More on Senate Bill 27 ]
  

Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)

John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: John1.Shaw@wisconsin.gov
Fax: (608) 267-3906

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Background Information For This Issue (Top of page)

• Mental Illness Waiver
• Making the Case for CCS
• Mental Health Association of Wisconsin
• Mental Health America
• NAMI Wisconsin
• NAMI National
• Wisconsin Family Ties
• Wisconsin Council on Mental Health
• Dual Diagnosis Workgroup
• Parity Fact Sheets
• History of Parity Legislation
• Join the Mental Health Listserv (The mental health community has developed a listserv to help keep the community connected. To become a member of the listserv send an email to Shel Gross at shelgross@tds.net and in the subject line put "Add to Parity Listserve" . Then, in the body of the email indicate whether you are a consumer, a Mental Health provider, or a family member.)